Scenic Coon Rapids acreage hosts holiday events

Iowa’s third largest recreational area has a host of family-friendly events planned for this Memorial Day weekend.

Conrad Kramer, executive director of the Whiterock Conservancy in Coon Rapids, says a Slow Sunday Drive is planned for tomorrow. Folks can bring an ATV or utility vehicle for a 13-mile guided tour through the forest, pastures and prairieland.

“We thought it would be great if people could just bring their vehicles and drive our new main loop trail,” Kramer says. “It circles our entire 5,000 acre landscape. It’s a double track and we lead you through with a pilot Gator. It’s a nice, slow 3-hour roll through some absolutely beautiful landscape, through the prairies, through the savannah, with some great scenic overlooks.”

It’s a particular treat as Whiterock is usually closed to private motorized vehicles.

On Monday, events will include a fishing derby at the Garst Home Farm. The derby will be held at the old Garst family pond which has some seven decades of history. A few years back, the pond was cleaned completely out and restocked.

“It’s got all kinds of great fish in it, some great panfish, bass, catfish, and this particular pond even has some nice little surprises,” Kramer says. “It has walleye and even some northern pike in it.”

Each participant will receive a dozen worms and there will be prizes with experts on-hand to guide angling novices.